Florida's Beautiful
Coral Reefs Attraction
Coral Reefs
In Florida
One of the distinctive features
of the Florida coastline is its beautiful coral reefs, which
have been around for 5,000 to 7,000 years. There are two marine
areas which contain most of the worldís coral reefs: the
Atlantic/Caribbean region, which includes Florida, and the Indo-Pacific
region.
Each region has unique coral
species. Florida is the only continental US state to have large
coral reef areas on its coastline. The reefs stretch from the
city of Stuart on the Atlantic coast to an area west of Key West:
the Dry Tortugas in the Gulf of Mexico. The reefs are most extensive
and best developed in the sea beyond the Florida Keys, with around
6,000 reefs in the area.
What Are Coral Reefs?
Coral reefs may look like rock
but they are actually living organisms with several important
roles to play. Stony corals are living creatures which help to
make up the reefs that we see.
They live in colonies (the tiny
individual members are called polyps and are 1-3mm in diameter)
and constantly secrete a calcium carbonate substance, which builds
up the reef over time. Reefs may grow up to seven inches a year
depending on the environment and the species of coral.
Different coral species create
different types of corals, which is why we get coral in the shape
of brains, fans and other amazing forms. The corals provide protection
for the polyps and are also home to other marine plants and animals.
All of these together form the distinctive reefs that we see.
Ancient Ecosystems
Coral reefs are one of the Earthís
oldest ecosystems and are certainly the planetís largest
living structures. They develop mainly in tropical and sub tropical
waters which provide adequate warmth, saline water which is lo
in phosphate and nitrogen nutrients, and enough waves to get
rid of waste and to carry plankton and oxygen to the reef.
They also need a solid structure
where the base of the reef can form. Reefs provide a natural
defense for the coastline, preventing it from eroding, and protecting
it from storms and hurricanes by reducing the wave energy.
Benefits Of Coral Reefs
There are other benefits to these
valuable natural resources too. The algae, marine plants and
animals which inhabit the reef assist the development of medicines
and health and beauty products. Coral reefs have been used to
help with bone grafts and for the treatment of HIV, ulcers, cancer
and cardiovascular diseases.
As well as their role in scientific
research, they also play a great role in Floridaís tourism
industry. Fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving and swimming on the
reefs are popular pastimes with visitors to the state. The rule
with visiting Floridaís coral reefs is look, but donít
touch, to avoid causing damage to the reefs.
Threats To Coral Reefs
There are many threats to the
health and existence of coral reefs, many of these through human
activity. Construction, farming, mining and logging near the
coasts can cover reefs with sediment, depriving them of sunlight
and causing them to die. Fishing with explosives or poisons can
have the same effect, as can over fishing, pollution and coral
mining and collection.
Coral reefs may also be threatened
by coral diseases, long periods of low tide and large waves.
Many of Floridaís reefs are protected as part of the Florida
Keys National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan, which prevents
coral harvesting in some areas and keeps some reef areas for
research. In addition, the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary protect 178 nautical
square miles of coral reefs.
RITMO!® FLORIDA LATIN TROPICAL THEME DESTINATIONS
Miami * Ft. Lauderdale * Boca Raton * West Palm Beach * Daytona Beach * Cocoa Beach * Boynton Beach * Key West
Orlando * Naples * Tampa Bay * Sarasota * Jacksonville * Melbourne * Coral Springs * Hollywood * St. Petersburg * Miami Beach
Sanibel * Marco Island * Deerfield Beach * Clearwater * Vero Beach * Jupiter * Stuart * Delray Beach * Ponte Vedra Beach
